Inquest of Amber Peat focuses too much on negative things says her step father

A tragic girl's stepdad claims that an inquest is focusing too much on the 'negatives' in her life.
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He made the comment to a coroner who is to hold a month-long hearing examining the life of 13-year-old Amber Peat, who was found hanged near home.

A file of evidence has been sent to her family as well as lawyers representing teachers, health workers and two police forces.

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Stepfather Daniel Peat said: “It seems to be a mindset 100 per cent negative documentation and everything else.

“There is not one positive thing. It is a picture of Amber’s life that is massively negative. There are so many positives in her life not mentioned.

“What is the idea of being negative? Is it the family job to have some positives put in there? Is that the way it works?” he asked.

Assistant Coroner Laurinda Bower said family members would be giving evidence and could speak about aspects of Amber’s life. They could also raise matters with people giving evidence.

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Family members have already made statements to police officers. The coroner told Mr Peat: “If you think there are further matters, you might like to record a witness statement and provide a further statement.

“If there is any evidence that you want to elicit all the positive things, you are free to ask questions of the witnesses.”

These will include her family doctor, health and social workers, school staff and police officers who dealt with the search.

The coroner said the inquest is likely to last for a month, starting on January 28 at the Council House. She will return with a conclusion and there will be no jury.

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Miss Bower said that one of her duties would be to consider whether lessons could be learned to prevent similar incidents. She can issue a “Prevention of Further Death Report” to any organisation.

Miss Bower said she will be looking at “information sharing” between agencies to see whether changes are needed.

The inquest will begin with evidence from a pathologist who carried out a post mortem on Amber, whose body was found on June 2, 2015. This will be followed by a report from an expert who analysed samples taken from her body.

She was found in bushes near her home in Westfield Lane, Mansfield. At the time, more than 100 bouquets were left as tributes.

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Her mother Kelly and Mr Peat reported her missing early on May 31.

The coroner said she would also examine why Amber’s disappearance was initially classed as “medium risk and increased to high risk.”

Miss Bower added: “I will be looking at this decision, why it was not high risk from the start.”